"Terrorism" with reviews on social networks

2026-07-10 12:28:00, Editorial CNA

"Terrorism" with reviews on social networks

Illustrative photo

The tourism sector in Albania is facing a dangerous form of cyber "terrorism". According to data made public by the Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, a suspicious and coordinated activity has been identified in cyberspace where over 10 thousand accounts have massively published negative comments and reviews to damage the reputation of Albanian businesses.

This attack, which aims to damage Albania's image as a safe and welcoming country, is affecting a wide range of businesses, including those in Tirana, Durrës, Elbasan, Shkodër, Korçë, Vlorë, Saranda and beyond.

"They are making negative 'reviews' of businesses"/ Hita: Over 10 thousand accounts are being verified, economic interests are being violated
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Coordinated attacks require a strong legal response. Business is business and tourism activity is the soul of the Albanian economy. Businesses operating in this sector pay taxes, with which the state makes investments, therefore their damage from coordinated cyber attacks is a direct blow to the country.

The coordinated activity on online platforms was assessed as a serious concern by the Director of the State Police, Skënder Hita, but the police chief's reaction was quite mild.

This action is not simply a free thought, but a criminal act and a form of terrorism perpetrated against business. These attacks targeting businesses risk damaging Albania's image as a safe and welcoming country.

In this wave of attacks, Gjergj Luca's businesses have also been targeted.

Captured in one of the videos published by businessman Gjergj Luca

But the damage doesn't stop with him. Beyond his image, which is highly exposed on social networks like "TikTok" or in various debates, these attacks are destroying service businesses that operate under the same model.

These are businesses that employ thousands of citizens, waiters, bartenders, drivers, and other employees, who are left at the mercy of fate when the activity is hit by a campaign of anger and anarchy.

The damage is criminal, because the serious consequences are not felt by Gjergj Luca, but by thousands of family members who depend on the salary of his businesses and many other similar businesses that are being attacked online.

These attacks are not only targeting restaurants, but are hitting every sector of tourism, from gastronomy to dental and aesthetic tourism, which have become important enterprises for the Albanian economy. When these criminals want to blacken business, they are actually undermining the development of the economy and the circulation of money in the country.

Any attempt to harm the country's economic interests should be treated with maximum priority by the State Police, which has called for anyone who has come across similar cases to file an official report.

However, this reaction is not sufficient. The intervention of all law enforcement institutions, including SPAK, is necessary, as it is necessary to investigate these structured criminal groups that sow anarchy in Albania.

If a consumer is not satisfied with a service, it is their right to choose another, but no one has the right to organize attacks to destroy the hard work of thousands of employees and the image of Albanian business.

Thousands of citizens have the right to protest in front of the Prime Minister's Office, even though the roadblocks in the capital are once again harming businesses, but that is another matter; citizens have a legitimate right to protest the government and demand accountability. But when honest business is harmed, the acts go beyond protest, these are downright terrorist activities that are seriously damaging the country's economic future./ CNA